How to Choose a Reliable Roofing Contractor
Finding a reliable roofing contractor is very similar to finding a needle in a haystack nowadays. For this reason, it’s important to work with a group such as American Remodeling to ensure your new roof is installed correctly and will be able to be enjoyed for many years to come. In this post, we’ll go over the various aspects of what to look for when it comes to working with a reliable roofing contractor. We hope you’ll enjoy this post, and should you need immediate assistance for your roofing matters, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Do Your Research
Researching any product or service is always advisable. In today’s day and age, it’s more important than ever to be aware of possible scams or fraudulent actions taken by roofing contractors. Be sure to start with well-vetted recommendations and check up on the online presence of the roofing contractor.
Start with Recommendations
If you start by asking your friends and family for recommendations, that’s always a good place to start. If your friends and family have already had a positive experience with a roofing contractor, you’ll likely have the same or very similar positive experience as well.
Check Online Presence
A well designed and professional looking website demonstrates the roofing contractor is well invested into their business and its appearance to potential customers. Additionally, positive 5-star reviews showcasing the level of workmanship and quality of customer service is equally important to the research process. If your potential roofing contractor has these above attributes, you’ll likely have a great experience contracting your roofing work to them.
Verify Credentials
It’s quite simple in most states to verify licensing and insurance credentials nowadays with online verification tools provided by local and state governments.
Licensing and Insurance
You’ll want to ensure your roofing contractor is licensed in the area or state you reside in. To comply with local regulations, your roofing contractor must maintain licensure. You’ll also want to verify the roofing contract or have the adequate level of insurance, including liability insurance and workman’s compensation coverage. This will help protect you in the event an accident or damages occur on your property. You’ll also want to verify your homeowner’s insurance covers accidents and damages from contractors to add an extra layer of protection.
Certifications
Any reputable roofing contractor will likely have certifications for their workmanship and materials they offer. This level of certification is an added bonus for you and will likely produce a higher quality of overall work.
Request Multiple Quotes
You’ll want to request multiple quotes from multiple companies if you have the ability to do so in your area.
Request Written Estimates
You’ll want to request a written estimate to have the estimate itself in writing. Additionally, you’ll want to avoid very low bids, as this often indicates a lack of experience, poor quality workmanship, or both of these negative attributes.
Ask About Included Services
You’ll always want to request a full outline for the scope of work. This typically includes a list of materials utilized for the roofing project, the project timeline, and the payment terms. Having a clear and concise breakdown of all included services will help prevent any confusion or misunderstandings along the way.
Ask Questions
There’s nothing wrong with asking questions. If your roofing contractor becomes hesitant to answer a series of standard questions you present to them, you may want to avoid working with said roofing contractor; as they may not actually know the answers.
Experience & Specialization
You should inquire about your roofing contractor’s experience with a project which may be similar to yours.If your roofing contractor has only worked on flat roofs and you have a standard residential roof line with a slope, you may want to consider working with someone else.
Workmanship Warranty
Every reliable and reputable roofing contractor should be able to provide some form of warranty for their work. If they don’t provide a warranty, they’re likely not believing the final product themselves and they should be avoided.
Check Out Their Portfolio of Work
Always check out your roofing contractor’s portfolio of work. If possible, ask if you could drive by some of their previous jobs to see firsthand the quality of work from the roadside.
Assess Communication
Communication is key to any successful business relationship. A skilled roofing contractor should be responsive and thorough in their communication patterns. If you find yourself being ignored for extended periods of time with little to no response from the very beginning of your working relationship, it’s probably a good sign to avoid working with that specific roofing contractor.
Evaluate Responsiveness
A reliable contractor should communicate clearly and promptly. Pay attention to how quickly they respond to your inquiries and how well they explain the process. Good communication is key to a successful project.
Discuss Project Management
You’ll also want to ask about how their typical roofing project is managed and how deliverables are completed so everyone stays on task, including yourself, with anything the roofing contractor may need from you.
Read the Fine Print
Always look over the agreement carefully, and if there are any gray areas or possible misinterpretations; address them prior to signing said agreement.
Review the Agreement Carefully
Before signing any agreement, carefully review the contract. Ensure it includes all discussed details, including payment schedules, materials, warranty information, and project timelines. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification on any unclear terms.
Understand Payment Terms
Always ask for a breakdown of the payment terms. This helps ensure there are no misunderstandings when it comes to one of the most important aspects of the agreement. Additionally, avoid paying for roofing projects entirely upfront. It’s a typical practice to have a deposit to secure the job, then have milestones along the way or full payment upon completion of the new roof.
Choose American Remodeling as Your Reliable Roofing Contractor
If you’re looking for a reliable roofing contractor and you reside within Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, or Delaware; you’ll want to contact us to learn more about how we can help! We look forward to working with you soon and we’re eager to begin transforming your home with a new roof from American Remodeling!
